Detroit Tigers sweep weekend series from MLB best Atlanta Braves

The Detroit Tigers are now starting to play like the Tigers of 2012.  They entered the weekend series against the Major League best team Atlanta Braves after a long west coast trip.  The Tigers came out like gang busters on Friday night defeating the Braves 10-0.  Tiger starter Anibal Sanchez pitched like he was the ace of the Tiger staff.   Sanchez would pitch 8 innings and record 17 strikeouts and only allow one walk.   The 17 strikeouts are a new Tiger record that was held by Mickey Lolich from almost 40 years ago.  Tori Hunter and Victor Martinez each stroked 3 hits while Matt Tuiasosopo had 5 RBI's for the Bengals.  

Saturday and Sunday's game both would be telecast on national television with Fox Sports and ESPN Sunday Night Baseball covering the games.   Saturday was also Negro League Day for MLB and the Detroit Stars were honored before the game.  They also held a Question and Answer session in the concourse prior to the game.   The Tigers and Braves also wore the old style Negro League uniforms to honor the stars from the past.  The game would be played under perfect weather finally at Comerica Park with the sun shining and 65 degrees at game time. 

The Tigers would receive great pitching from all three starters in the series with Rick Porcello going in Saturday's contest.  The Tigers defeated the Braves 7-4 in the middle game of series.  Jhonny Peralta and Omar Infante both hit home runs to give the Tigers the come from behind win.  It is important that the Tigers start to recieve some strong hitting from the bottom of the line-up.  Starter Rick Porcello showed some good signs by going into the 7th inning before new found reliever Jose Valverde finished out the game with his 2nd save of the season.   Who would have thought that Valverde would be the Tiger closer by the end of April 2013.  Manager Jim Leyland is bringing him along slowly.   Austin Jackson and Miguel Cabrera each had 2 hits in the game. 

Sunday night's contest saw gloomly weather at Comerica Park with starter Doug Fister go 7 strong innings while recording 8 strikeouts in constant drizzle.  The Tigers defeated the Braves 8-3 to send them packing after the weekend sweep of one of the National League's strongest teams.  Three different Tigers hit home runs with the key blast being Miguel Cabrera's 3 run shot in the 7th inning to seal the victory.   The Tigers seem to be clicking on all gears now and will soon be pulling away in the Central Division of the American League.  They have a ways to go before they have the best record in the American League but by the end of May 2013 I see them with just that.